5 Tips For Eating Out With Co-Workers When Dieting

by: Stefan Simonovic

Sticking to your diet plan can sometimes be really tricky, especially with all those temptations surrounding you. Firstly, there are these holiday foods that don’t seem to be going off the tables any time soon and secondly, you can’t skip socializing and call a rain check every single time your co-workers ask you out to a restaurant. Sure, it’s okay to do it once or twice, and they can even buy that lame “I can’t. I arranged a couple of transgender dates for tonight” excuse, but now is the time to finally accept the challenge by following these 5 tips that we have prepared especially for you... And these are low in carbs, we promise!

#1 Plan Ahead

Believe it or not, this one is crucial if you wish to stay loyal to your healthy food regime because it can successfully prevent you from eating 500 or 1000 calories on top what you thought you were going to eat in the first place. The most efficient way to achieve it is by getting informed about the restaurant you’re going to visit in advance, and then explore healthier options from their menu. You can even suggest the restaurant yourself and thus save yourself from the trouble of having to think about your order beforehand - after all, you’ve already been there. On the other hand, your colleagues will probably perceive you as fun and enthusiastic if you do so, meaning this can bring some extra points to your social persona as well.

#2 Have a Healthy Snack at Work

Remember the countless times they taught us all about the importance of having at least 5 smaller portions of food that should be consumed evenly throughout the entire day so that we don’t experience significant energy drops and mood swings? Well, this is 100% accurate so having one such healthy snack can be a great precautionary measure that will eventually rescue you from ordering that large sausage and pepperoni pizza from the menu. Namely, protein shakes or various smoothies belong to the group of healthy snacks that can significantly curb your appetite. On the other hand, you can actually have them while you’re still at work, meaning that you’re going to feel fuller before you even make that order at the restaurant!

#3 Avoid Appetizers and Certain Drinks

Everyone is having a hard time resisting these yummy starters, we know, especially if you’re having a glass of wine or beer because they go so well with alcohol. The sad truth about appetizers, however, is that they are usually abundant in carbs, fried in deep oil and spicey, meaning that if you opt for them you’ll be just taking empty calories that won’t satiate your hunger but rather leave you craving for more, even though you had more than enough. The same goes for the alcohol and sugary drinks. A tasty salad rich in fibers and vitamins and unsweetened beverages, on the other hand, are always great alternatives.

#4 Know Thy Dish

In case you’re not certain about a dish you want to order, don’t hesitate to ask a waiter to give you some additional info about the ingredients. The majority of restaurants are usually serving heavy sauces poured all over their dishes, which usually contain ingredients such as blue cheese, sugar, and oil that will certainly add a substantial number of unwanted calories to your meal. What you can do in order to prevent this situation is to ask the staff to serve you the sauce separately, or you can even order your food without it. Trust us, it will still taste way better than the one you usually prepare at home! Not that we’re doubting your cooking skills...

#5 Meat and Veggies are Your Best Friends

It’s needless to emphasize that any food rich in proteins and fibers is excellent for your diet. That being said, white meat is always a better choice, but the red one is also okay, especially if you haven’t had it in a long time. The fibers found in vegetables will satiate your hunger for a longer period of time and will also keep your digestive system in check. This means that you actually have more than enough options for a healthy meal with your co-workers that will also be fun at the same time!

About the author:

Stefan is a writer and a blogger in his spare time. He also works for First Beat Media, a company that mainly focuses on the online dating niche and similar services.